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Published on: December 22, 2023
A new method for using radiopaque sclerosing foam to treat venous malformations
Kai Li1, Yi-Ran Liu, An-Wei Chen
1*Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Institute of Dental Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China; †School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, China; ‡School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Background:
Sclerosing foam is recommended to treat venous malformations (VMs). However, determining the precise dosage for satisfactory efficacy and few side effects are still challenging.
Objective:
To develop a new method of preparing sclerosing foam by adding contrast agent to treat patients with VMs visibly and precisely under radiologic guidance.
Materials And Methods:
Sclerosant (polidocanol) and contrast agent (iopromide) were mixed to prepare a new sclerosing foam according to Tessari method, and different ratios of the 2 materials were used to study the stability (half-life) of the produced foams. X-ray absorption of the radiopaque foams was observed during patient treatment with digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
Results:
The foams generated with the new method demonstrated a high x-ray absorption under DSA. The foam half-life among groups varied. The ratio of iopromide/polidocanol at 1:2 had a significantly longer half-life than the 1:1 or polidocanol-only group. The 1:2 group had a relative high x-ray absorption and was radiopaque to allow visualization of the sclerosing foam and lesion with DSA.
Conclusion:
Mixing contrast agent with sclerosant to prepare radiopaque foams is a new method for treating complex VMs with DSA, and a ratio of 1:2 is recommend for polidocanol and iopromide.
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